The Japanese champion Takes a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Commanding Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
